DoD's $5.3M Hypersonic Heat Pipe Demonstrator Contract Awarded to Lockheed Martin
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $5,296,825 ($5.3M)
Contractor: Lockheed Martin Corp
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2021-03-03
End Date: 2026-03-02
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: ENABLING TECHNOLOGY FOR HIGH-SPEED OPERABLE SYSTEMS (ETHOS): HYPERSONIC HEAT PIPE STRUCTURE DEMONSTRATOR (HYPAD)
Place of Performance
Location: SUNNYVALE, SANTA CLARA County, CALIFORNIA, 94089
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $5.3 million to LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP for work described as: ENABLING TECHNOLOGY FOR HIGH-SPEED OPERABLE SYSTEMS (ETHOS): HYPERSONIC HEAT PIPE STRUCTURE DEMONSTRATOR (HYPAD) Key points: 1. This contract focuses on developing advanced heat pipe technology for hypersonic systems. 2. Lockheed Martin, a major defense contractor, is the sole awardee. 3. The contract is for Research and Development in Physical and Engineering Sciences. 4. The project aims to enhance the operability of high-speed systems.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee type, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts for advanced materials is difficult due to the specialized nature of hypersonic technology.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the specific awardee is Lockheed Martin, indicating they likely offered the most competitive technical and price proposal.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being invested in cutting-edge defense technology research, with the potential for future cost savings through improved system efficiency and reliability.
Public Impact
Advancement in hypersonic technology could have significant implications for national security. Investment in R&D supports the development of next-generation defense capabilities. The project contributes to the broader field of advanced materials science and engineering.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can incentivize contractor overspending.
- Limited public information on specific performance metrics and milestones.
- Potential for technology transfer challenges to other programs.
Positive Signals
- Focus on critical defense technology (hypersonics).
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Experienced prime contractor (Lockheed Martin).
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical and engineering sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority in defense.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Lockheed Martin, a large business. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific award, which is common for prime contracts of this nature.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of the Air Force is overseeing this contract. Standard government oversight mechanisms for R&D contracts, including progress reports and milestone reviews, are expected to be in place.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost overrun potential in CPFF contracts.
- Long development timeline for advanced technology.
- Dependence on a single large contractor.
- Uncertainty in achieving desired performance metrics.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, ca, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $5.3 million to LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP. ENABLING TECHNOLOGY FOR HIGH-SPEED OPERABLE SYSTEMS (ETHOS): HYPERSONIC HEAT PIPE STRUCTURE DEMONSTRATOR (HYPAD)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $5.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-03-03. End: 2026-03-02.
What is the projected return on investment for this hypersonic technology development?
The return on investment for this specific R&D contract is difficult to quantify directly in financial terms. Its value lies in advancing critical defense capabilities, potentially leading to future technological advantages and deterrence. The long-term benefits are strategic rather than immediate financial returns, making traditional ROI metrics less applicable.
What are the primary technical risks associated with developing hypersonic heat pipe structures?
Key technical risks include material degradation under extreme temperatures and pressures, ensuring structural integrity during hypersonic flight, and achieving efficient heat dissipation to prevent system failure. Developing reliable and scalable manufacturing processes for these specialized components also presents significant challenges.
How will the success of this demonstrator project be measured and validated?
Success will likely be measured through a series of rigorous ground and potentially flight tests designed to validate the heat pipe's performance under simulated hypersonic conditions. Key performance indicators will include thermal management efficiency, structural durability, and overall system operability, as defined in the contract's technical requirements and milestones.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1111 LOCKHEED MARTIN WAY, SUNNYVALE, CA, 94089
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $5,296,825
Exercised Options: $5,296,825
Current Obligation: $5,296,825
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 6
Total Subaward Amount: $2,384,980
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-03-03
Current End Date: 2026-03-02
Potential End Date: 2026-03-02 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-12
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